Images of the Real Madrid and Chelsea match
Real Madrid may be ready for a summer game after Zinedine Zidane leaves his position as head coach. The French coach announced his departure less than a week after the LaLiga giants lost control of the domestic title on the final matchday against Atlético de Madrid.
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Zidane led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, in addition to winning the Spanish League in the campaign affected by the Coronavirus last year.
But the 48-year-old hinted that he would consider leaving the Santiago Bernabéu as his team ended the season without a title after their elimination from the Champions League semi-finals against Chelsea.
Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino are mentioned as potential successors to Zidane, while Massimiliano Allegri was in the frame before agreeing to return to Juventus.
While the identity of the next Real Madrid coach has yet to be confirmed, a massive exit from the club is likely with multiple players linked to a move from the Spanish capital.
Express Sport takes a look at who can follow Zidane out of the gate …
Only on the inside: Man United, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan: Zidane’s options after Real Madrid’s departure
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Real Madrid: eight players who could follow Zidane (Photo: Getty Images / AFP)
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Raphael Varane
After arriving in Spain as a teenager from Lens in 2011, Varane was a great servant for Real Madrid.
But speculation persists that the 29-year-old could have played his match with Los Blancos and Manchester United are looking at the situation with the aim of moving permanently.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made no secret of his desire to sign a top center back alongside Harry Maguire on defense, and his Europa League loss to Villarreal only highlighted the need to beef up the defense.
Varane has only one year left to fulfill his contract, and if he’s eager to take on a new challenge in the Premier League, the LaLiga giants may decide to make the most of his potential.
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Real Madrid confirmed the departure of Zinedine Zidane while Massimiliano Allegri approached the return of Juventus [NEWS]
Tottenham prepare to compete with Real Madrid for Antonio Conte following Hansi Flick’s decision [NEWS]
Manchester United got a transfer boost from Raphael Varane ahead of the Europa League final [GOSSIP]
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Sergio Ramos
The 35-year-old has remained in limbo as the club ponders whether to offer the veteran a new contract.
Ramos has spent most of his career in the capital, moving from Seville in 2005.
But a change is taking place at the club and with Ramos’ season cut short by injury, it may be time for Real Madrid to look to the future.
The center-back has been excluded from Spain’s call-up at Euro 2020, allowing him to choose his next move carefully, with reports of interest from China, the Middle East and the MLS League.
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Eden Hazard: Real Madrid can sell the Belgian this summer Image Credit: Getty Images
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Eden Hazard
Hazard thought he was fulfilling his childhood dream when he sealed his move to Madrid two years ago. Unfortunately, his stay in Spain quickly turned into a nightmare.
A series of injuries and a lack of physical form have contributed to the Belgian losing almost half of Madrid’s games since his transfer of £ 130 million from Chelsea.
Only six goals followed in his time at the club and was widely criticized by the Spanish media, and it is believed that Florentino Pérez will listen to the offers of the 30-year-old player.
It is thought that Hazard would prefer to return to Stamford Bridge, but, like Bill, he would definitely have to cut his salary to end his nightmare period in LaLiga.
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Gareth Bale: the Welshman could go to Tottenham Image Credit: Getty Images
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Gareth Bale
Eight years after moving to £ 85 million, Bale remains the club’s record signing. Still, the Welshman is likely to leave for nothing this summer.
It is believed that Real Madrid may decide to end their deal to cut costs, as major Spanish clubs have lost millions from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This could be good news for Tottenham if they want to re-sign Bale, who has scored 16 goals in all competitions since coming on loan.
The forward came close to joining Jiangsu Suning 18 months ago, and this indicates that China could be a potential destination. But he may have to cut the 31-year-old’s salary if he wants to find a new club, as the winger is believed to earn nearly £ 600,000 a week.
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Isco
Isco was once considered a key part of the Real Madrid squad, but Isco is no longer known under Zidane and could be leaving this summer.
The 29-year-old has started just eight of the 25 LaLiga games he has played this season despite injury problems at the club.
For the first time since moving to the capital from Malaga in 2013, Isco was disqualified from the Spanish team in a major tournament because Luis Enrique ignored the entire Madrid team.
The Sun reports that the midfielder is wanted by Arsenal, Milan and Juventus, and with just one year left on his contract, he could sign a deal if the asking price of £ 20 million is reached.
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Lucas Vasquez
With the interest of England and Italy, Lucas Vázquez can choose between the interested parties after his contract is terminated.
Zidane has been one of the 28-year-old’s favorites for his versatility and has recently been used as a right-back, having played 24 league games this season.
But few could blame Vazquez for wanting more time playing his favorite role, as AC Milan, Napoli and Chelsea believed they were following to the extreme.
While Real Madrid will get nothing from his sale, as Vazquez can leave as a free agent, Eder Militau can be used as support for the injured Dani Carvajal, meaning they don’t need to sign a replacement.
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Marcelo
The writing was on the longtime Brazilian when Zidane decided to sign Ferland Mendy from Lyon in 2019.
Since then, Marcelo has appeared sporadically for Los Blancos in just 16 games with Zidane in 2020/21.
His successor can still appreciate the 33-year-old’s contributions to the team as a deputy captain.
But after seeing a move proposal to Juventus roll back last year, Marcelo was tempted to return to his home country when his contract expires next summer.
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Luka Jovic
Real Madrid seemed to get it right when they seized Luka Jovi from Eintracht Frankfurt for £ 53m two years ago.
But the Serbian player proved he missed another costly one with just two goals in 32 games and returned on loan to the Bundesliga team this season.
The 25-year-old has rediscovered his scoring touch in Germany and this could improve Real Madrid’s chances of claiming a large chunk of the fees they paid for him.
An AS report claims the two clubs may still agree to a swap deal that would see Jovi return with a permanent deal, with Andre Silva heading to Madrid.
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